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BUILDERS » Landmark Homes Wellington
Business Central
Friends build skills into business Russell Fredric Long time friends Kim Baldwin and Darren Turvey, the new owners of the Landmark Homes Wellington franchise, rate their skills and experience as decidedly complementary. Kim was relatively happy in the architectural project-management company he had owned for 20 years, while Darren, who had worked for trade suppliers and as a builder for a similar time, was looking for an opportunity. They took over the Landmark Wellington franchise last July following the death of owner Ben Young. “I was working in commercial design,” says Kim Baldwin. “The option of buying the Landmark Wellington franchise provided an opportunity for a change in direction and having a more hands-on role.” Part of the appeal was the ability to provide creative input into house designs, as opposed to the commercial projects he had worked on that were often much more rigid in terms of design. Landmark was also recommended by his father who is a building developer. “He thought it was a great product and suggested I look at it seriously. It’s a highend product. I wouldn’t bother with anything that’s not got any design element to it; that’s a strength of Landmark.” With Kim’s design knowhow available, there’s no need to employ anyone to cover this role, while Darren’s role as construction manager is also a seamless fit because of his experience. “He oversees a job with a technical eye rather than a design eye,” Kim says of Darren. “It works really well and I guess the economics of it are, having worked for suppliers before, that he knows what’s cost effective, what works and what doesn’t work, which ultimately benefits the client.” Despite the made-in-heaven business match, Kim says the learning curve has been massive. However, it has been eased by Landmark’s structured, franchise, business model and training, he says. “It’s a great system. Everyone supports one another.” This support has proved an asset in the face of the Wellington property and construction market, which Kim describes as “crazy busy”. “There’s a shortage of sections in Wellington and there’s a shortage of builders in Wellington. Property values are on the increase, but building costs are relatively stable, they haven’t crept up by much.”
Landmark Homes Wellington covers Wellington city, Porirua, the Kapiti Coast, Upper Hutt, and Wairarapa.
There’s a shortage of sections in Wellington and there’s a shortage of builders in Wellington. Property values are on the increase, but building costs are relatively stable. Because of high property values, a cost effective option for some is to have an old house removed from a section and replaced with a new one. “Property values have climbed to a point where its worth their while to start from scratch,” says Kim. Landmark Homes Wellington covers Wellington city, Porirua, the Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa. As a result of the start of construction of the Transmission Gully expressway
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construction, Kim is already seeing interest from people wanting to build north of Wellington city. Three full-time and one part-time staff complete the franchise staff team but Kim expects more to be added this year because of the workload. He is seeing a house-design trend towards sustainability, including houses that have passive, energy-efficiency. “I’ve got three clients whose subdivisions require some level of Homestar rating and sustainability. A lot of clients are asking for that anyway.” Clients are increasingly wanting information about where materials have been sourced, solar power options, and the incorporation of
water tanks. The company uses a consultant to assist with designs of sustainable houses. There is also a trend away from 2.4-metre high ceilings –Kim says 80 per cent of houses are now built with a 2.7-metre stud height or higher. The aim is to create a greater sense of space and light inside. Landmark Homes has designs with significant architectural appeal and the ability to be adapted to suit individual client’s needs. As a result, virtually every house is a bespoke build. The company website (www.landmark. co.nz) reveals an incredibly diverse range of 70 designs, as well as showcasing some completed homes of uncompromising quality. Kim and Darren say Landmark Homes Wellington can guide clients through the various options and phases – design and build; remove and rebuild; house and land packages from initial site assessment to design, lodgement of consents, project management, and completion.
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